After another victory, Houston Rockets wing Tari Eason got a journalistic itch that he just had to scratch.
During a media scrum with forward Jabari Smith following the win over the Grizzlies, Eason put on his metaphorical reporter hat. Eason said that he was from the “Clutch City Inquirer” (which is a truly phenomenal fake name for a Rockets publication) and got Smith’s attention.
Our guest reporter @TAR13ASON of the “Clutch City Enquirer” gets the final question for @jabarismithjr @HoustonRockets | @SpaceCityHN pic.twitter.com/aZscycTOwl
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) December 14, 2023
Eason said that he noticed Smith “get to the paint” unlike ever before.
He wanted to know if Smith felt that he was on his “bully” this season. While the question got a chuckle from the other reporters in the locker room, it was an insightful observation from Eason.
Smith, indeed, is getting to the rim more often this season than he did when he was a rookie. He finished 23 percent of his attempts at the rim last year, per Cleaning The Glass. This season, that has increased to 31 percent.
He averaged 2.6 paint touches per game last season and is now up 3.9 per game. That increase (1.3) ranks fifth-most among the 125 players who have averaged at least 40 touches per game this season and last season.
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